Kinnara
Founded in 1969
Kinnara Inc. is a religious organization composed of three groups: Kinnara Taiko, Kinnara Gagaku, and Kinnara Bugaku.
Kinnara began as a chanting group by Rev. Masao Kodani. In his first years as a Minister he looked for other avenues to chant with young people the special gathas such as Sambujo and Zensho Kada – which were traditionally reserved for special services by Ministers.
The name Kinnara is a singing bird taken from one of the eight classes of Heavenly Musicians in Buddhist Cosmology. The name was chosen partly to emphasize the need to return to a more unified approach to the understanding of Buddhism – not Wisdom and Compassion, but Wisdom-Compassion. The Phoenix Bird of Buddhism takes flight only when the right wing of Wisdom and the left wing of Compassion move as one, yet each performing its own unique function. Members of Kinnara are trying to develop programs which will bring about this Oneness.
Practice and performance is for the benefit of both player and listener, seeking to discover harmony of the mind, body and spirit.
Kinnara was developed as a way to restore the lost tradition of Buddhist Performing Arts by adults. Kinnara pursues the study of the Buddhist teachings and culture by learning to play Buddhist instruments.
Membership in Kinnara is by Dana in any form; donating ones time, talents, and/or money. As a general policy Kinnara does not list or publish donations or names of donors in keeping with the idea of condtionless giving. There are no membership cards or dues. Kinnara has no salaried employees, all help is voluntary.
Kinnara Taiko
Kinnara originated and revolutionized the use of oak wine barrels as a taiko drum.
One of the leading Japanese-American taiko drum groups in the USA, Kinnara Taiko blends Japanese, American, Latin, Cuban, and African rhythms into a dynamic and strictly Japanese-American taiko sound. These rhythms are combined with choreographed movements, mime, flute, and various other percussion sounds.
Kinnara originated and revolutionized the use of oak wine barrels as a taiko drum, creating a uniquely Japanese-American instrument. This made taiko drums affordable, and allowed for the creation of taiko groups to spread across the United States .
Kinnara has been performing, celebrating, and communicating Japanese-American Buddhist Taiko for over 50 years. Kinnara is based at Senshin, practices are held on Thursday evenings.
Kinnara Gagaku & Bugaku
Taught by the late Professor Suenobu Togi of the Japanese Imperial Household Department of Music, members of Kinnara learned to play classical Gagaku instruments; as well as Bugaku, the dance part of Gagaku.
Gagaku is the oldest continously performed orchestral music in the world. The word Gagaku means ‘elegant music or refined music’. Bugaku dances are so ancient, the meaning of the dances have been lost over time.
Gagaku represents the ancient music and dance of China and the Far East from around the beginning of the Common Era, with even older roots in Central Asia, Southeast Asia and India. It has been preserved only in Japan in the Imperial Household, certain Buddhists Sects and Shinto shrines, and the more recent religion of Tenrikyo.
For nearly 50 years Kinnara Gagaku and Bugaku have been performing throughout the USA.